Destructible Element Patents (Class 166/317)
  • Patent number: 11913295
    Abstract: A method for plugging a lost-circulation zone in a subsurface formation includes introducing a drillstem including a drilling stabilizer into a wellbore during drilling operations, the drilling stabilizer including at least stabilizer blades and a pressure sensor. Each stabilizer blade includes at least an inner chamber, a light source, and a window. The method further includes injecting a lost-circulation fluid, including a plurality of lost-circulation particles, into the wellbore. Each lost-circulation particle includes a lost-circulation additive encapsulated by a photo-sensitive coating. The method further includes measuring a pressure differential with the pressure sensor and providing a pressure signal to the light source of each stabilizer blade, thereby actuating the light source to produce a light beam, which allows the light beam to contact the photo-sensitive coatings of the lost-circulation particles to release the lost-circulation additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jothibasu Ramasamy, Chinthaka Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11867033
    Abstract: A system for completing a wellbore extending through a subterranean earthen formation includes a casing string positioned in a wellbore extending through a subterranean earthen formation, a first perforating assembly coupled to the casing string, wherein the first perforating assembly includes a first perforation charge coupled to the casing string, wherein the perforation charge includes an explosive material configured to blast towards the earthen formation upon detonation of the first perforation charge, and a first sealing device coupled to the casing string, wherein the first sealing device includes a closed position configured to restrict fluid flow across the first sealing device when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Mousa D. Alkhalidi
  • Patent number: 11859465
    Abstract: A method for cementing a wellbore having a lost circulation zone includes installing a cement basket around a casing string having a casing diameter, and running and setting the casing string in the wellbore. The cement basket is set in proximity of and up hole from the lost circulation zone. The method includes pumping a cement slurry, through the casing string, to a first depth downhole from the cement basket, running a first tubing, having a tubing diameter, into an annulus between the casing string and the wellbore, and pumping the cement slurry, through the first tubing, to a second depth up hole from the cement basket. The tubing diameter is less than the casing diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdulwahab S. Al-Johar, Abdullah Saleh Al-Yami, Abdulla F. Dossary, Sara A. Alkhalaf
  • Patent number: 11851991
    Abstract: A friction reduction system disposable in a wellbore includes a first valve member including an inner surface which includes a valve seat; and a second valve member rotatable concentrically about a central axis of the first valve member and including a radial port coverable by the valve seat of the outer valve member, wherein the friction reduction system includes an open configuration that provides a maximum flow area through a valve of the friction reduction system including the second valve member and the first valve member, wherein the friction reduction system includes a closed configuration that provides a minimum flow area through the valve which is less than the maximum flow area, and wherein the friction reduction system is configured to generate a pressure pulse in a fluid flowing through the friction reduction system in response to the friction reduction system transitioning from the open configuration to the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: John M. King, Daniel Hernandez, Jr., James R. Streater, Jr., Paul Oberlin
  • Patent number: 11828119
    Abstract: A wellbore tubular flotation device comprises a housing having a locking element disposed thereon. The housing is shaped to move through an interior of a wellbore tubular segment. The locking element is shaped to engage the interior of the wellbore tubular segment. The locking element comprises a locking mechanism configured to urge the locking element into contact with the interior of the wellbore tubular. A burst disk is engaged with the housing and is shaped to close the tubular segment to fluid flow. A release mechanism is configured to reverse the urging of the locking mechanism when a release tool is moved through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deep Casing Tools, Ltd.
    Inventors: David John Stephenson, Tomasz Jozef Walerianczyk
  • Patent number: 11808108
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation assembly includes an outer component and an inner component. The outer component is disposed at a first location in a wellbore. The inner component is disposed at a second location in the wellbore. The inner component is moved from the second location into engagement with the outer component at the first location to form a barrier within the wellbore. When deployed in the wellbore, the barrier inhibits passage of fluids. The wellbore isolation assembly is then retrieved from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Herndon
  • Patent number: 11634956
    Abstract: A detonator activated wireline release tool is provided for use in geological well operations that enables the wireline cable to be easily released from tool string equipment upon activation of a detonator housed within the release tool. The release tool has a wireline subassembly portion that is connected to a tool string subassembly portion during assembly. It is sometimes necessary to disconnect the wireline subassembly from the tool string subassembly at a time when accessing the either is not physically possible. Such release is achieved by sending an electronic signal that detonates an explosive load which actuates a latch through an expansion chamber. The latch shifts and allows the finger flanges previously connecting the subassemblies to disengage, thus releasing the subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Mulhern, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 11585183
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes a tubing hanger positioned within a wellhead and a Christmas tree (XT) coupled to the tubing hanger. The wellbore system also includes an annulus isolation device (AID). The AID includes a manual actuator configured to drive a wedge in a linear direction. The AID also includes a mating wedge arranged within an annulus flow path, the mating wedge configured to receive a force responsive to movement of the wedge. The AID further includes a stab coupled to the mating wedge, the stab configured to move in an axially downward direction responsive to movement of the mating wedge, the stab having a slotted portion moveable into alignment with an annulus passage to permit flow into the annulus flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Energy Technology UK Limited
    Inventors: Stanley Hosie, Lee Stanley Hosie
  • Patent number: 11578548
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to convertible float valve assemblies, and associated components thereof, and methods of using convertible float valve assemblies. A convertible float valve assembly may comprise a sleeve, one or more valves and valve bodies coupled to the sleeve, and a collet coupled to the sleeve. A method may comprise lowering the convertible float valve assembly and a ball downhole, seating the ball on the collet, and releasing the sleeve from the one or more valve bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Webber, Jeffry C. Ehlinger
  • Patent number: 11525331
    Abstract: A system for establishing a bypass flow path includes a plug assembly having bypass ports extending from the exterior to the interior; a wiper dart to engage and seal the first flow path and bypass flow path, and initiate release of the plug assembly from a first position, the plug assembly having a dart nose attached to the dart body; once the plug has moved to a second position, pressure applied through the bypass ports communicates to the dart nose to cause detachment of the dart nose from the dart body; a first flow path extends through the central bore of the plug assembly when the wiper dart is not present; and a second flow path extends through the bypass ports on the plug assembly below the dart body to the detachable dart nose, once detached, the bypass flow path is established thru the bore below the dart body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Citadel Casing Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Schmidt, Todd Stair
  • Patent number: 11391120
    Abstract: A valve assembly employed in subterranean wellbore systems includes a flapper member biased to a closed position by a pair of opposed wire springs. The wire springs provide sufficient torque to ensure robust operation of the flapper member and permit sufficient fluid flow through the limited space available in the valve assembly. A pair of symmetrical pair of wire springs may be robustly manufactured and individually installed without unnecessary accumulation of manufacturing tolerances or errors, thereby providing predictable torque levels to the flapper member. The wire springs may be secured in blind holes or other features defined in a circumferential surface of the flapper member to ensure the springs remain engaged with the flapper member throughout the operation of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Allan Zhong, Shobeir Pirayeh Gar, David Allen Dockweiler
  • Patent number: 11346171
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a frangible disk positioned therein. A flow barrier is connected in the casing string and spaced downwardly from the frangible disk. The frangible disk and the flow barrier define a buoyancy chamber. The sliding sleeve will impact and shatter the frangible disk into a plurality of pieces that will pass downwardly in the casing after the casing has been lowered to a desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Stephen Allen Yeldell, Lonnie Carl Helms, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Patent number: 11326409
    Abstract: A downhole tool and process for introducing the downhole tool into a wellbore are provided wherein the downhole tool includes an occlusion-releasing tool. The occlusion-releasing tool contains an occlusion until such time as it is needed in a frac plug to prevent flow in one direction in the wellbore. The occlusion is released from the occlusion-releasing tool by fluid flow through the occlusion-releasing tool. The fluid flow acts directly on the occlusion to provide sufficient pressure to release the occlusion from a mechanical retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Eis, Tyler Norman, Jesse Cale Porter
  • Patent number: 11274543
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of rock mechanics, and in particular to a method for accurately measuring a reopening pressure of hydraulic fracturing induced fracture in a deep borehole. The method includes: pumping a fluid into a sealed inner space of a drilling pipe for energy storage; and opening a valve at a lower end of the drilling pipe such that energy is released from the fluid in the inner space of the drilling pipe under the action of pressure to inject the fluid into a test interval. In the method according to the present disclosure, a fluid is pumped into an inner space of a drilling pipe so that the inner space of the drilling pipe is used as a high-pressure fluid pump to inject the fluid in the inner space of the drilling pipe to the test interval until the closed fracture is reopened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
    Inventors: Qunce Chen, Chongyuan Zhang, Dongsheng Sun, Xianghui Qin, Wen Meng, Quan Li, Ming Jin
  • Patent number: 11274522
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a pressure-powered tool to perform a downhole operation in a well determine the operating condition of the tool based on indications of pressure in a region associated with the tool. If the pressure indications are indicative of an undesired operating condition, corrective action is taken, such as mechanically shifting the tool or rupturing the rupture disc of an electric rupture disc (ERD) system to shift the tool to a desired operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chao Wang, Julien Bost, Vincent Nicolas, Abbigail Ullrich, Quangen Du
  • Patent number: 11242719
    Abstract: A subterranean coring assembly can include a body having at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the cavity has a top end and a bottom end. The subterranean coring assembly can also include a first flow regulating device movably disposed within the cavity, where the first flow regulating device is configured to move from a first default position to a first position within the cavity based on first flow characteristics of fluid that flows into the top end of the cavity toward the bottom end of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: James Daniel Montoya, Byron Kurt Deshotels
  • Patent number: 11215028
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tubular having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flowbore having a longitudinal axis. A backpressure valve is arranged in the flowbore. The backpressure valve includes a flapper valve including a first side and an opposing second side pivotally mounted to the inner surface to selectively extend across the flowbore and a locking system including a spring clip mounted to the inner surface. The flapper valve is pivotable between a first position, wherein the flapper valve is free to pivot relative to the inner surface, and a second position, wherein the flapper valve is pivoted away from the flowbore and locked open by the spring clip such that the first side forms part of the flowbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Larry Thomas Palmer, Erik Van Steveninck, Erik Vilhelm Nordenstam, Eric Anders Erickson, Scott Bigrigg
  • Patent number: 11208850
    Abstract: A downhole tubular system including a tubular defining a wall having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface, the outer radial surface having a circumferential channel formed therein extending 360 degrees defining a punch portion, the inner radial surface defining an inner bore; a sleeve attachable around the tubular; and at least a portion of a control fluid chamber passageway defined between the sleeve and the outer radial surface, the wall occluding fluidic communication between the control line passageway and the inner bore until the punch portion has been punctured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: John Burris
  • Patent number: 11162325
    Abstract: A well tool device (1) comprising a housing (10) having a through channel (11) with a first end (11a) and a second end (11b), said housing (10) further comprises a breakable ball seat (15), wherein a drop ball (17) received in the ball seat (15) partially or fully closes fluid communication in the through channel (11) of the housing (10). The breakable ball seat (15) is made of brittle and/or tempered glass, wherein the ball seat (15) is broken by a pressure build up in the housing (10) forcing the ball seat (15) against one or more disintegrating means (16), said disintegrating means (16) are provided as inside protrusions in the through channel (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Kenneth Tunes
  • Patent number: 11125060
    Abstract: A multi-zone, one trip completion system for a wellbore is described. A plurality of isolation packers is installed in borehole to isolate a plurality of zones of the annulus between a tubing string and a wellbore. Each tubing string section is positioned in a zone and comprises a selectively openable stimulation port to provide stimulation fluid to its zone and a selectively openable production port to receive fluid from its zone. The system also comprises a circulation system with a plurality of circulation tubes and circulation tube valves, being configurable in a plurality of configurations to selectively connect, via a circulation flow path, the central bore or the borehole annulus of a wellbore at each of the plurality of sections, to an upper circulation flow path open to an annulus above an uppermost of the plurality of isolation packers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Packers Plus Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Van Petegem, John Greff, Kelly Ireland
  • Patent number: 11066894
    Abstract: A frac sleeve assembly for use in a downhole operation and method of use are disclosed. The frac sleeve assembly includes a sleeve movable within a housing and a ball seat movable within the sleeve. The sleeve includes a pin adjusting element. The ball seat includes a seat tooth disposed at a fluid passage of the ball seat for seating a ball, and a pin associated with the seat tooth. Motion of the ball seat within the sleeve causes the pin adjusting element to move the pin to adjust the seat tooth to release the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Stone
  • Patent number: 10995593
    Abstract: Example of the present disclosure relate to frac sleeve with set of inner sleeves that allow selective open and close of such sleeves, where clusters of the same frac sleeves to be treated top to bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: VERTICE OIL TOOLS INC.
    Inventors: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya, Jarle Trones, Kristoffer Braekke
  • Patent number: 10961797
    Abstract: An integrated milling and production device. The device includes a production housing, a connector, a motor, and milling bit. The production housing has a central bore with at least one flapper valve pivotally disposed therein and an actuator. Upon completion of milling operations, the connector may be disengaged from the production housing. The production housing may be repositioned in the well. Activation of the actuator permanently opens the flapper valve to permit the flow of production up the production housing to the well surface. The actuator may be a piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Workover Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunther H H von Gynz-Rekowski, Mark Joshua Miller, Kevin James Rudy
  • Patent number: 10927642
    Abstract: A method for completion of an oil or gas well with production tubing (14), and a well tool device (1) comprising an first pipe part (20) and a second pipe part (22) each having a first end (20a, 22a), and a second end (20b, 22b) with a through channel (30), said well tool device (1) having a groove (24) provided in an interface in the through channel (30) between the first pipe part (20) and the second pipe part (22), wherein said groove (24) is accommodating a breakable obturator seat (10) made of brittle and tempered glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SBS Technology AS
    Inventor: Jan Tore Tveranger
  • Patent number: 10890049
    Abstract: A downhole communication valve containing a piston and chamber which allows hydrostatic testing of a casing or tubing string multiple times before permanently opening communication ports to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: COLT PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Mark B. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10808506
    Abstract: A technique facilitates a well operation employing at least one dehydration tube. The at least one dehydration tube is located along an exterior of a plurality of screen assemblies deployed in a wellbore and is fluidly coupled to a base pipe of at least one of the screen assemblies. The fluid coupling provides fluid access to the base pipe through a base pipe opening. Fluid flow along the at least one dehydration tube is controlled with a flow control mechanism. Additionally, an inflow of fluid from an exterior to an interior of select screen assemblies is separately controlled with an inflow control device associated with each select screen assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edvin E. Riisem, Pavel Petukhov, Andrzej Tunkiel, Aurelien Mainy, Terje Moen, Michael D. Langlais
  • Patent number: 10767446
    Abstract: A concave section such as an extension section, a cutting section, and a notch section is provided to receive a lid of a float valve in an inside of outer tube assembly of a drill string. Thus, when the float valve is provided for the drill string, it is made possible to collect a core with a larger diameter by a thinner drill string, by expanding the inner diameter of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: JAPAN AGENCY FOR MARINE-EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NLC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Shimmoto, Eigou Miyazaki, Keita Akiyama, Masaki Kawahara, Tomoaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10753175
    Abstract: A spring biased device having a plurality of operational spring rates including a housing; a first spring disposed between a selective support and a functional component; a second spring disposed between the selective support and another support; and a releasable connection between the selective support and the housing. A valve including a housing; a seat disposed within the housing; poppet movable to a position on the seat and a position off the seat, the poppet having a valve stem; a selective support; another support attached to the housing, the selective support and the another support allowing through passage of the valve stem; a first spring disposed between the selective support and the poppet; a second spring disposed between the another support and the selective support; and a connection between the selective support and the housing, the connection being selectively defeatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Stone
  • Patent number: 10597978
    Abstract: A shear bolt can include a body having a shear portion. A port in the body may be used for introducing a fluid into the body. A core disposed in the body may include a chamber at least partially surrounded by the shear portion. A fluid pressure in the chamber and exerted against the shear portion may be increasable in response to the fluid being introduced through the port, such as to increase an amount of stress in the shear portion and prime the shear bolt for shearing. Additionally or alternatively, a support structure positioned in the chamber may be frangible to reduce support to the shear portion in response to the fluid being introduced through the port, for example, to contribute to priming the shear bolt for shearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Alexander Jelly, Cole Alexander Benson
  • Patent number: 10502024
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a pressure-powered tool to perform a downhole operation in a well determine the operating condition of the tool based on indications of pressure in a region associated with the tool. If the pressure indications are indicative of an undesired operating condition, corrective action is taken, such as mechanically shifting the tool or rupturing the rupture disc of an electric rupture disc (ERD) system to shift the tool to a desired operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chao Wang, Julien Bost, Vincent Nicolas, Abbigail Ullrich, Quangen Du
  • Patent number: 10502026
    Abstract: A frac plug with a flapper, wherein the flapper is configured to set and unset based on a pressure differential and/or fluid flow associated with the frac plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Vertice Oil Tools
    Inventor: Mohamed Saraya
  • Patent number: 10472927
    Abstract: Downhole drop plugs, frac sleeves, and downhole plug-operated valves. The drop plugs may incorporate a ring part and a rod part. The valves may incorporate a bypass to accommodate material that gets stuck in the valve on flowback. The valves may incorporate a compound seat that passes a first ball of a first size and seats a second ball of the first size. Locking seats, dissolvable balls, and dissolvable mandrels are illustrated and discussed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Vanguard Completions Ltd.
    Inventors: Jozeph Robert Marcin, Branko Calic
  • Patent number: 10458201
    Abstract: Downhole assemblies and methods for isolating a wellbore. A downhole tool can include a body having a bore or flowpath formed therethrough, and one or more sealing members disposed therein. The one or more sealing members can include an annular base and a curved surface having an upper face and a lower face, wherein one or more first radii define the upper face, and one or more second radii define the lower face, and wherein, at any point on the curved surface, the first radius is greater than the second radius. The sealing members can be disposed within the bore of the tool using one or more annular sealing devices disposed about the one or more sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Magnum Oil Tools International, Ltd.
    Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier
  • Patent number: 10364653
    Abstract: A non-ballistic force generating mechanism includes a non-ballistic first actuator operable to output a first force profile defining a first pressure for a first stroke length, and a non-ballistic second actuator operable to output a second force profile following the first force profile, the second force profile defining an second pressure that is substantially greater than the first pressure for a second stroke length that is less than the first stroke length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Zhiyue Xu, Zhihui Zhang, Lei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10309193
    Abstract: A bridge plug for use in a wellbore having an anchoring system to grip the inner surface of the surrounding wellbore, as well as a sealing system or packing element to seal against the inner surface. A hinged flapper permits flow of fluid in one axial direction through a central through bore, but can selectively contact against a seat to create a fluid pressure seal and prevent fluid flow through said central through bore in an opposite axial direction. The flapper can be manufactured of frangible material and/or dissolvable material, permitting selective removal of the flapper when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Premium Tools LLC
    Inventors: Danny L. Gordon, Kenneth Perry
  • Patent number: 10030465
    Abstract: A solidification- and extrusion-molded article of polyglycolic acid, which is formed of a resin material containing polyglycolic acid, the polyglycolic acid having a melt viscosity of 200 to 2,000 Pa·s, and has a thickness or diameter of greater than 100 mm but not greater than 500 mm. A downhole tool or a component thereof and a ball sealer for petroleum excavation are formed by cutting the solidification- and extrusion-molded article. A method for manufacturing the solidification- and extrusion-molded article of polyglycolic acid and a method for manufacturing a ball sealer for petroleum excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Okura, Takeo Takahashi, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 9926767
    Abstract: A stress reactive valve includes a valve body disposed in a subsea safety system or other elongated components of hydrocarbon production systems. The valve body includes a frangible or breakable material such that when the subsea safety system or other elongated system undergoes a stress, such as a bending stress, the frangible valve body can react to the stress by breaking and thereby establishing fluid communication or a fluid path across the valve body. In a first or unbroken condition of the valve body, the valve body prevents fluid communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. In a second or broken condition of the valve body, fluid communication is allowed between the fluid inlet and outlet. The fluid communication can be used to actuate a device, or the fluid pressure can be used as pilot pressure to actuate a pilot operated valve system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Harold Martin
  • Patent number: 9926483
    Abstract: Degradable balls for downhole use may include an incompliant degradable polymer and a compliant filler material, the incompliant degradable polymer having an elastic modulus of about 2 GPa or greater, and the compliant filler material having an elastic modulus of less than about 2 GPa. Such degradable balls may be useful in sealing segments of a wellbore and actuating wellbore tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Ryan Murphree, Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Feng Liang, Dwight Fulton
  • Patent number: 9790762
    Abstract: Corrodible wellbore plugs, systems and methods are disclosed herein. The methods include flowing a corrodible wellbore plug that is at least partially formed from a corrodible metal to a downhole location within a wellbore conduit and retaining the corrodible wellbore plug at the downhole location by operatively engaging an engagement structure with a wellbore tubular that defines the wellbore conduit. The methods include pressurizing a portion of the wellbore conduit uphole from the corrodible wellbore plug and flowing a corrosive reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation into contact with the corrodible metal to release the corrodible wellbore plug from the downhole location. The methods also may include removing the wellbore plug without utilizing a drill-out process. The systems include a corrodible wellbore plug that includes a plug body and a retention mechanism, which includes a slip ring formed from the corrodible metal and that includes the engagement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Timothy J. Hall
  • Patent number: 9752411
    Abstract: A downhole activation assembly includes a housing that is operatively connectable to a downhole tool and that has a passage for flow of fluid therethrough. An indexing assembly is positionable in the housing, includes a multiple position indexer and an indexing tube, and is operatively connectable to the downhole tool. A sleeve valve includes a fixed sleeve portion and a movable sleeve portion that is positionable in the housing passage and defines a ball passage therethrough. A valve seat in the sleeve valve is configured to receive the ball such that the flow of the fluid is selectively restricted through the ball passage. The movable sleeve is engagable with the indexing tube to selectively shift the indexer between multiple positions whereby the downhole tool is selectively activatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL DHT, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark Adam
  • Patent number: 9546538
    Abstract: Fracking ports are initially obstructed with respective biased sleeves that have an associated release device responsive to a unique signal. The signal can be electronic or magnetic and delivered in a ball or dart that is dropped or pumped past a sensor associated with each release device. Each sensor is responsive to a unique signal. When the signal is received the release device allows the bias to shift the sleeve to open the fracture port and to let a flapper get biased onto an associated seat. The flapper and seat are preferably made from a material that eventually disappears leaving an unobstructed flow path in the passage. The method calls for repeating the process in an uphole direction until the entire zone is fractured. The flapper and seat can dissolve or otherwise disappear with well fluids, thermal effects, or added fluids to the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ewoud J. Hulsewe, Edward T. Wood
  • Patent number: 9482069
    Abstract: A packer or plug for use in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel made from a composite material including a pyrotechnic composition; an expandable seal disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel; and an igniter operable to initiate combustion of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Geoffrey Powers
  • Patent number: 9435174
    Abstract: The invention provides a valve and method for injecting a treatment fluid into a production zone of a hydrocarbon production well. The valve comprises a tubular housing comprising an axial fluid passage, a fluid inlet in fluid communication therewith, and a lateral fluid outlet; a sleeve having a sleeve fluid passage and at least one lateral fluid opening, the sleeve being fixedly arranged within the housing and aligned with the housing fluid passage, wherein the fluid opening is aligned with the fluid outlet; and a piston moveably disposed within the sleeve fluid passage between closed and open positions, wherein the piston when closed blocks treatment fluid flow from the housing fluid passage toward the sleeve fluid passage, and wherein the piston when open permits treatment fluid flow from the fluid inlet through the housing fluid passage, the sleeve fluid passage, and the fluid opening toward the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Derk Lucas Klompsma, Lubbertus Lugtmeier
  • Patent number: 9435184
    Abstract: A sacrificial liner linkage that can be used to automatically shorten a liner for an underground coal gasification process is provided. The sacrificial liner linkage may be one or more sacrificial liner linkage portions that are spaced between one or more liner portions in which the sacrificial liner linkage portions disintegrate before the one or more liner portions to automatically shorten the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: CARBON ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Burl Edward Davis, Clifford William Mallett, Marion Russell Mark
  • Patent number: 9334710
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing system comprising a pressure testing valve incorporated within a casing string and comprising a housing comprising one or more ports and an axial flowbore, a sliding sleeve, wherein the sliding sleeve is positioned within the housing and transitional from a first position to a second position through a sliding sleeve stroke, wherein, in the first position, the sliding sleeve blocks a route of fluid communication via the one or more ports and, in the second position the sliding sleeve does not block the route of fluid communication via the one or more ports, wherein the pressure testing valve is configured such that application of a predetermined pressure to the axial flowbore for a predetermined duration causes the sliding sleeve to transition from the first position to the second position, wherein the predetermined duration is at least about one minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall Lee Pacey, Kevin Thomas Berscheidt, Matthew Todd Howell
  • Patent number: 9334700
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a reverse flow operation. The apparatus may be lowered into a wellbore on a work string, and includes an opening device, a closing device, and a locking device disposed in a housing. Pressurized fluid supplied through the work string may actuate the opening device to open fluid flow through ports in the housing. Pressurized fluid from the annulus may be supplied through the port in the reverse flow direction to actuate the locking device to enable fluid flow up through the work string back to the surface, and to release the closing device. Pressurized fluid supplied through the work string may actuate the closing device to close fluid flow through the ports in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew James Hanson, Jozeph Robert Marcin, Randal Brent Biedemann, Damian Leonard Ward, Clayton R. Andersen
  • Patent number: 9322251
    Abstract: A system and method for lifting reservoir fluids from reservoir to surface through a wellbore having a first tubing string extending through a packer in a wellbore casing. The system includes a bi-flow connector in the first tubing string, a second tubing string in the first tubing string below the bi-flow connector, and a third tubing string in the first tubing string above and connected with the bi-flow connector. A fluid displacement device in the third tubing string is configured to move reservoir fluids to the surface. The first tubing string allows pressured gas to move from the surface through the bi-flow connector to commingle with and lift reservoir fluids through annuli defined by the first and second tubing strings and defined by the casing and the first tubing string. The bi-flow connector is configured to allow simultaneous and non-contacting flow of the downward pressured gas and lifted reservoir fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: NGSIP, LLC
    Inventor: Daryl V. Mazzanti
  • Patent number: 9309979
    Abstract: A self piloted check valve which utilizes closure of a piloting flapper valve to permit development of closure forces for a ball valve. The normally open ball valve has a central flow passage and simultaneously rotates and translates as it traverses between its fully open and fully closed positions. An opening bias system utilizes a combination of a first less stiff spring and a second stiffer spring. Reversible decoupling means disconnects and reconnects the second spring at a short travel distance from the normally open position of the ball, while the first spring always provides opening bias forces to the ball. The pressure induced force required to fully close the ball valve following decoupling of the second spring is more than the force required to overcome the combination of the first and second springs. Additionally, while the secondary spring is engaged, hydrodynamic damping of the ball opening movement is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Larry Rayner Russell
  • Patent number: 9291044
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a fracturing operation using a wellbore fracturing assembly. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string to conduct a fracturing operation adjacent an area of interest in a formation. The assembly may include an unloader for equalizing pressure between the assembly and the wellbore, a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Murphy, Gary D. Ingram, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 9291031
    Abstract: A down hole pressure isolation tool is placed in a pipe string and includes a pair of pressure discs having one side that is highly resistant to applied pressure and one side that ruptures when much lower pressures are applied to it. The weak sides of the pressure discs face each other. Rather than rupturing the discs by dropping a go-devil into the well, a first of the discs is ruptured or broken by the application of fluid pressure from the well head or surface. Formation pressure is then used, in different ways according to the different embodiments, to rupture the remaining disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier